Advantage Car Rental — Attraction in Orlando

This Advantage rental car reservation was made on 12-22-24 through AARP/Expedia website and was for the itinerary below at Orlando Airport. Pick-up Fri, Jan 10 4:30pm 5601 Butler National Dr, Orlando, FL Drop off: Thur Jan 16 1850 Hotel Plaza Blvd, Lake Buena Vista, FL by 2:00 pm Summary: Due at pick-up: $150.27 according to AARP/Expedia

We had to wait over 45 minutes for the shuttle bus from the ground transportation area at MCO to the remote Advantage location, which is on the WallyPark lot. We called several times to get a status on when the bus would arrive, but no one answered the phone until our 3rd try, and that person told us the bus would be right there, which was not the case.

When we finally got to the office to pick up the car, the Advantage agent acted in a deceptive manner and made false statements to me several times. She advised me that there were toll roads that needed to be driven to get to Lake Buena Vista and that the toll booths don’t take cash. Therefore, I needed to purchase their pre-paid toll pass for an additional $65.99. I said that I had a Florida SunPass account that could be used on a rental car, but she said I could not use that because I would then be charged twice. I later found out that a SunPass can be used in a rental car without any problems. SunPass website says “you won't be charged double if you add a rental car to your SunPass account. You can use your SunPass in a rental car as long as you add the rental vehicle's information to your account. I also found out that there were alternative routes to Lake Buena Vista that did not require tolls.

Next, also in a deliberately deceptive manner, the agent told me I needed to purchase their CDW insurance coverage. I told her I had personal auto Insurance that specifically covers rental cars and showed her the complete policy details. Further, I informed her that said I also had coverage through my United MileagePlus Explorer card and showed her that documentation. She then falsely advised me that if the car was damaged and it had to go in for repairs, I would be responsible for their lost revenue for that period of time, which could add up to $$thousands. Yet, according to the United Explorer Card website, “The Chase United Explorer Card covers loss-of-use charges for rental cars. This benefit is part of the card's Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver.”

Because the agent intimidated me to such extent, I reluctantly signed up for the Toll and CDW, a big mistake on my part. So, my rental cost at checkout went from $150.27 to $ 332.94.

At the end of the 6-day rental period, I returned the car on time with 132 total miles driven. There was no damage and I replaced the gas I used. Then, totally out of the blue, the agent at the return counter said the I owed another $ 139.26. I have no idea where this charge came from and I have protested it with my credit card company. In summary, my original rental cost of $150.27 was fraudulently increased to $472.20.

Advantage is operating a SCAM and taking “ADVANTAGE” of visitors to Orlando. A person who has been traveling all day to get to Orlando, then has to wait 30+ minutes to take a bus to a remote rental car location is also extremely anxious to get on to their final destination. Advantage Rental car has a deliberate corporate plan to use this anxiety to their advantage and convince the clients, especially Seniors like me, to accept unnecessary charges to increase their rental car profits. Their operation is fraudulently taking advantage of travelers who are not familiar with the intricacies of rental agency unnecessary charges and how to avoid them. This company should be referred to the BBB or other authorities for further investigation for their “bait and switch”...

DO NOT RECOMMEND AT ALL. The entire process after booking was frustrating, and unprofessional (plus a LOT of additional fees and fine print). Used Expedia to book originally. Found a better deal directly 4 days before arrival, so cancelled and reserved with Advantage directly. Got a horrible attitude at reception for using a 3rd party- even though it was the main # for advantage- she told me that was still a second party to their location (so corporate directly is an issue for them?)...Receptionist seemed put off to be there, and actually have to assist someone- let alone a family. The SUV they pulled out for us (advertised a Jeep Renegade or COMPARABLE when I booked)- was some kind of Hyundai itty bitty clown car that you could only fit ONLY ONE standard suitcase in the rear- not joking -one suitcase and it had a weird small built in shelf cover attached to the hatch...with a family of 4 (2 full car seats, 2 standard suitcases and 2 carry on) to say we were upset by this point already was an UNDERSTATEMENT. My husband had to go back in. The lady admitted that was NOT comparable and we were then given a brand new Renegade (that actually fit our bags in the rear). I was so disappointed and disgusted that our trip after flying and getting shuttled to them (they are NOT In the airport so we couldn't even purchase a toll pass in the airport or anything since they are off-site/not affiliated) just another disaster to figure out. We didn't get the toll pass since the lady didn't explain it and nonchalantly said we would be fined $50 per pass if we didn't figure it out...(more fees that were not disclosed or even explained) so we ended up passing tolls without any options to pay there- and had to spend time from our vacation the next day actually going to an administrative building (40 mins away from our hotel) for the toll pass with kids in tow, and spending around 2.5 hours to get it figured out (distance, time driving, app download, funds added, all explained). I called Advantage Corporate and got transferred to their location and someone in their call center told me even though I separately purchased a toll pass for my stay at the state administration building that I would be noncompliant with their contract since I didn't purchase it from them/Advantage at check in- and STILL BE BILLED $15+ PER DAY to my credit card once the fees were assessed from the state (saying it was out of their control). The Florida state/pass administration said that is FALSE (more time on the phone navigating this information) and those are fees that ADVANTAGE is adding, not to mention the license plate on the rental car showed an ACTIVE SUNPASS/FULL PASS in force....so they already have a pass and want to charge you if you don't take out theirs....on top of it already being a covered toll pass. SMH. I will never, EVER use or recommend Advantage (what a joke). Horrible experience the entire way, and left a bad impression on what was otherwise the perfect family vacation at Walt Disney...

DO NOT RENT HERE!! I do not write bad reviews often but I was treated so disgusting in this instance that I felt it should be shared to warn others…

I came to Florida to visit family, which I do often and booked this place online thru Priceline. The representative I dealt with was very aggressive and unfriendly. I was barely able to ask any questions without being cut off with a salesman like response. Eventually, I was asked “how do you want to cover the car” and I provided the insurance I purchased online with the booking. The gentleman told me that I still needed to purchase their insurance because they were “two different things.”

Obviously I was confused and had questions. I was met with rude and condescending responses, that weren’t even making sense. He said it was a Florida law that I had to purchase insurance with them, which was a complete lie because I’ve gotten rentals from Fox rentals, and others that did not force me to add their insurance…

I was told I could not take the car without adding the daily coverage, which came out to an extra $60 charge… Even though I didn’t fully understand why, at this point I just wanted to get my car and go, so I said “ok if you guys are going to force me to get the insurance then I’ll just have to take it”…

The gentleman got irate and started to yell at me “WE ARE NOT FORCING YOU!! Do not say that!..You know what I don’t have to help you I’ll close the rental out”….

I was confused to why he got so emotional but I calmly asked if I could finish the transaction without the coverage since I already purchased coverage and didn’t want to pay twice. He said “no you have to get insurance to get the vehicle.” I responded, that means you’re forcing me in order to get the car…He became more furious and threatened to cancel the transaction claiming he “doesn’t have to help me if I’m going to be difficult”..

He was very rude and impatient. He seemed to be triggered by me using the words “forcing me,” which is weird because I was literally not given any other choice if I wanted to get the vehicle.

I asked for a manager to help me finish the transaction instead, as I was agreeing to add their insurance. There was a woman wearing a hijab cover (sorry I didn’t get names) whom was sitting there the entire time and agreed to help me. She claimed to be the manager, but I do not know if that was true. She began to pull my information on her computer when the original rep stated “no I closed it out already.” So he canceled my reservation without my consent!! Overriding “the manager” and leaving me stranded, making me phone a family member to pick me up. I visit Florida very often and this is by far the worse experience I have had at any rental place.

I DO NOT RECOMMEND THIS PLACE, especially if the guy pictured still works there. They were both very unprofessional and flat out disgusting. With so many options in this area WHY WOULD...